Self-Driving Pylon

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a self-driving pylon which has two hollow chambers, one of which is nestled within the other and also serves as a water jet. The lower extremity of the pylon contains a number of apertures permitting the flow of water and other material into and out of its interior.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and means for sinking vertical columns into the earth. More specifically, the present invention is a pylon, primarily but not entirely intended for submarine use, that will drive itself into a horizontal surface utilizing water pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Columns planted vertically in the earth are a necessity in many forms of construction. Actually driving them can be a difficult feat of engineering in itself, as different types of earth pose different difficulties. This difficulty is exacerbated when the location in which the column must be placed is submerged. In such instances, the column must be lowered through a sometimes quite considerable quantity of water before contact with the earth is even made.

A further problem encountered in the process of driving pylons in a submarine environment is the fact that it is difficult to effectively monitor the activity in progress. It is impossible without resorting to complicated apparatus, like the air chambers commonly utilized in the nineteenth century, or underwater breathing equipment to have a human being physically in the area. While the process can be performed remotely, this is obviously a poor substitute for hands-on interaction. This results in a process which is difficult, costly, and labor-intensive.

There is a need for alleviating this problem by providing a pylon that is capable of driving itself after having been deployed on the surface of the water over the area into which it is to be driven. There is a need for such a device, which is hollow, to become permeated with water so that it sinks to the bottom of the bottom of water. Further, there is a need for such a device to operate so that once it has made contact with the earth, water is pumped from the surface through a jet contained in the device and exists at high velocity and pressure from the bottom of the pylon. This causes the earth upon which the pylon rests to become dislocated. It then backs up into the main body of the pylon through a number of back flow holes. The pylon then sinks into the cavity so created.

There is also a need for a device which can be used under terrestrial conditions. Thus, there is a need for a device which is placed vertically upon the surface where it is to be planted. Water could then be pumped through it at very high speeds, dislocating the earth beneath the pylon and forcing in up into its interior in the form of mud and other detritus. The pylon then sinks into the cavity so created.

Numerous previous patents exist showing methods for driving vertical columns into submerged surfaces. Examples of this include U.S. Pat. No. 449,374, issued to Merriam on Mar. 31, 1891, U.S. Pat. No. 538,073, issued to Harris on Apr. 23, 1895, U.S. Pat. No. 983,808, issued to Christiansen on Feb. 7, 1911, U.S. Pat. No. 1,017,439, issued to McKenna on May 4, 1911, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,115,755, issued to Siebenhausen on Dec. 31, 1963. Some of these patents utilize water pressure to assist the vertical column in its downward motion through the submerged surface. However, in none of these instances does the vertical column in question descend through the water under the influence of gravity, at a controlled rate, by means of a displacement of air within the structure by water. Accordingly, they are not relevant to the present invention.

Previous patents also exist disclosing means of excavation or dredging using water jets. Examples of this include U.S. Pat. No. 126,729, issued to Meatyard on May 14, 1872, and U.S. Pat. No. 188,369. Such inventions, however, although they do function in part by means of dislocating earth by means of using water jets and depositing the resulting detritus in another location, do not do so as part of a vertical pylon.

In addition, patents are extant disclosing high-pressure water jets. Examples of such patents are Canadian Patent No. 904,172, issued to Lewis on Jul. 4, 1972, U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,129, issued to Best et al. on Oct. 31, 1995, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,262, issued to Cobb on Apr. 9, 1996. However, none of these patents show inventions functioning as an integral part of a pylon.

Therefore a need has been established for a pylon, useable primarily but not entirely in a submarine environment, that is capable of by and large driving itself into a given location with a minimum of direct human supervision, said pylon descending through liquid at a controlled rate and sinking itself into a cavity created through water propelled at high speed through the pylon body.

None of the previous patents presents a vertical pylon of the type used in construction composed of a hollow chamber nestled within a larger hollow chamber. None of the previous patents provides a means for excavation using water pressure. None of the previous patents presents a pylon, composed of a hollow chamber nestled within a larger hollow chamber, the former of which doubles as a pipe for the projection of water under high velocities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pylon designed so that, when released at a certain point on the surface of a body of water, it will descend in a straight line. Once it reaches the bottom of the body of water, it will drive itself vertically into the earth. The device is composed of two chambers separated by an inner shell and an outer shell (the inner shell sits within the outer shell). The inner shell also serves as a pipe through which water can be propelled. The diameter of the outer shell is approximately 6.3 times that of the inner shell.

At points within the outer chamber there are mounted support members serving to provide rigidity and stability helping to keep the inner shell properly aligned. The upper extremity of the device contains a threaded jet inlet leading into the inner chamber and an air flow valve, both of which may be attached to hoses. The lower extremity features a centrally mounted threaded jet tip, leading out of the inner chamber, and a number of back flow holes. Attached to the lower extremity is a conical structure, hereafter referred to as the ‘descender.’ The descender is removably attached to the lower extremity of the pylon by screwing onto the lower threaded jet tip. The point at which the descender attaches to the lower extremity of the pylon is made water tight by means of a rubber seal running about the periphery of the pylon.

When used in an aquatic environment, the apparatus functions in the following way. Two lines are attached to the top plate, a jet inlet line and an air outflow line. The device is transported to the location where it is to be planted, placed in the water, and the descender unscrewed. Water will then begin to enter the pylon through the back flow holes and the pylon will begin to descend. The rate of descent is controllable by means of regulating the rate of displaced air exiting through the air outflow line. Eventually, the pylon will make contact with the earth. At this point, water begins to be forcibly pumped through the pylon through the jet inlet line. As it exits through the jet inlet line at the bottommost extremity of the pylon, this flow of water will eat away at the earth upon which the pylon rests. The displaced earth will back up through the back flow holes and begin to fill up the area between the inner and outer shells. This has two effects. First, it creates a cavity in the earth beneath the pylon into which the pylon can sink. Second, the presence of such detritus within the pylon will both cause it to descend rapidly into the cavity and give it added stability and weight.

The apparatus can also be used on land: In this case, the descender and air flow valve might not used. The pylon is placed upon the earth at the location into which it is to be driven. Water is then forced through the jet inlet at a very high speed and pressure. It will then descend into the earth in the same manner as in submarine use. The portion of the pylon not filled by back washed earth can be filled in if need be by concrete or some other material in order to give the pylon added stability and to render it inaccessible to pests such as termites.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pylon, hollow in construction, that will descend through water as the air within the pylon is gradually displaced by water.

It is a further object of the present invention to descend through water as the air within the pylon is gradually displaced by water, the rate of such descent been controllable through the means of monitoring the rate at which air is displaced.

Another object of the present invention is to present a pylon, utilized in conjunction with a water jet, which utilizes debris stirred up by the water jet to provide anchoring weight for the pylon.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cover for a hollow pylon designed to sink at a controlled rate through water that serves to prevent such an action from taking place through means of providing a watertight seal.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a self-driving pylon that is fully functional and effective in accomplishing its goals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the present invention in its entirety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a pylon (5) which is driven into a surface. The unique channeling of earth by the present invention will be described after the basic structure of the present invention has been related.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section view of the pylon (5. Preferably, the total length of the pylon (5) is 13 to 23 feet. PVC pipe is a choice material for construction of the pylon (5), and PVC pipe is readily available in lengths of 13 to 23 feet.

The pylon (5) has a body (7) which is preferably twenty six feet and five inches in length, and a descender (70) which is preferably 14 inches in length, mounted upon body (7). The body (7) has an inner shell (10) which is a cylinder that is preferably 1.5 inches wide. Inner shell (10) runs throughout and parallel to body (7), serving as the inner wall of body (7) and a conduit through body (7). The body (7) also has an outer shell (20) which is a cylinder that is preferably 10 inches wide. Outer shell (20) serves as the long, cylindrical outer wall of body (7).

Within inner shell (10) is an inner chamber (120). Between inner shell (10) and outer shell (20) is an outer chamber (130). Inner shell (10) is slightly longer than outer shell (20). At various points between inner shell (10) and outer shell (20) are mounted support pieces (30), providing structural integrity for outer chamber (130); that is, support pieces (30) keep the inner shell (10) in position relative to outer shell (20). It should be noted, however, that if inner shell (10) and outer shell (20) are of sufficient strength, such as if they are made of SCH 40 PVC of 14 foot length, support pieces (30) are not necessary.

Support pieces (30), in one embodiment of the present invention, are narrow extensions between inner shell (10) and outer shell (20). In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, support pieces (30) are planar extensions disposed relatively perpendicular to and between inner shell (10) and outer shell (20). In the alternative embodiment of the present invention, support pieces (30) are striated, perforated, and/or incompletely circumvent inner shell (10). It is important that support pieces (30) do not completely separate outer chamber (130) into separate sections. In short, support pieces (30) should be numerous enough to support inner shell (10) and outer shell (20), but support pieces (30) should not obstruct outer chamber (130).

A first end of the body (7) is closed off by an upper plate (40) such that upper plate (40) meets outer shell (20). Outer shell (20) and upper plate (40) are connected along the circumference of outer shell (20), and outer shell (20) and upper plate (40) may be connected by plastic welding, if desired; or outer shell (20) and upper plate (40) may formed together via injection molding.

Upper plate (40) is penetrated by inner shell (10) such that inner shell (10) extends through and beyond upper plate (40). A plurality of first threads (210) circumvent inner shell (10) along the portion of inner shell (10) extending beyond upper plate (40). The first threads (210) allow inner shell (10) to be capped with any conventional cap designed to receive threads (210). A seal (45) is disposed along the perimeter of upper plate (40) so that if a conventional cap is attached to upper plate (40) via threads (210), the seal (45) is watertight. Upper plate (40) is also penetrated by an flow valve (50). The flow valve (50) is directly connected to the outer chamber (130).

A second end of the body (7) is closed off by a lower plate (60) by plastic welding such that lower plate (60) meets outer shell (20). Outer shell (20) and lower plate (60) are connected along the circumference of outer shell (20), and outer shell (20) and lower plate (60) may be connected by plastic welding, if desired; or outer shell (20) and lower plate (60) may formed together via injection molding.

Lower plate (60) is penetrated by inner shell (10) such that inner shell (10) extends through and beyond lower plate (60). Inner shell (10) has a plurality of second threads (90) disposed on the portion of inner shell (10) extending beyond lower plate (60). The second threads (90) allow inner shell (10) to be capped with any conventional device which can communicate with second threads (90). Descender (70) caps inner shell (10) in FIG. 1.

Descender (70) and lower plate (60) have a watertight connection because of a seal (100) disposed between descender (70) and lower plate (60). Seal (100) is preferably rubber or a similar material disposed between the body (7) and the descender (70) at the intersection of outer shell (20) and lower plate (60).

Lower plate (60) has a plurality of back flow holes (80) disposed in either random or structured positions through its planar surface. The preferred embodiment of the present invention has four back flow holes (80) equidistantly spaced across the plane of the lower plate (60), each with a diameter of 2.125 inches. However, a plurality of back flow holes (80) is not necessary, as at least one will suffice.

Descender (70) serves as a cap on second threads (90), and descender (70) is attached to the second end of body (7) by means of being threaded onto second threads (90). Second threads (90) are preferably 1.5 inch threading because such is conventionally available in PVC pipe. The descender (70) is preferably a ten inch conical shape.

Although it is preferred for the majority of the pylon (5) to be made of schedule 40 PVC pipe, it would be possible to make it out of 0.25 PVC sheeting, scrap HDPE or LLDPE, and softer plastics, recycled aluminum, High-Density Polyethylene, Green Ceramic and other moldable compounds. Further, some materials for the present invention might need to be covered in amorphous boron carbide in order to have the requisite strength to allow the present invention to function. The preference for schedule 40 PVC pipe is due its relative low cost and to allow for the use of a recycled material.

In use, the pylon (5) is typically pulled along the surface of water until a desired location for deployment of the pylon (5) has been reached. Before deployment, the user does not want water to enter body (7) or else body (7) might sink. Thus, descender (70) should be secured onto the second end of the body (7) so that back flow holes (80) do not allow water into outer chamber (130).

Once a desired location for deployment of the pylon (5) has been reached, an air hose (not shown) should be attached to flow valve (50) and a water hose (not shown) should be attached to the portion of inner shell (10) extending beyond upper plate (40). Next, the pylon (5) is placed on the surface of the water and the descender (70) is removed. Water will begin to seep through back flow holes (80) and into outer chamber (130). The flow of water into outer chamber (130) can be controlled by fluctuating the air pressure at flow valve (50). Gradually, water will completely fill the outer chamber (130), displacing the air previously contained in outer chamber (130). The air is then expelled through flow valve (50) as outer chamber (130) fills with water.

As outer chamber (130) fills with water, body (7) will begin to sink into the water such that lower plate (60) hits the floor of the body of water. If necessary, the body (7) may be guided with any air hose (not shown) or water hose (not shown) attached to the body (7) as described above. When the body (7) makes contact with the ground, water is propelled through inner chamber (120) at high speed, dislocating the ground located beneath lower plate (60). The water exits the portion of inner shell (10) extending beyond lower plate (60). The detritus, generated by the water forcibly exiting inner shell (10) against the ground, is propelled into back flow holes (80) and into outer chamber (130). Eventually, all of outer chamber (130) can be filled with detritus in this manner, giving the body (7) support and increasing its tendency to descend into the cavity created by the dislocated material.

If the present invention is to be employed on land, the body (7) is placed vertically at the location into which it is to be planted. As above, water is propelled through body (7) at very high pressure, generating results like those described above.

Descender (70) can be reattached to body (7) once body (7) is in place on land or water; however, descender (70) would be fitted on first threads (210). Once fitted on first threads (210), the conical shape of descender (70) tends to prevent birds and other animals from depositing material atop body (7) or within inner shell (10) and flow valve (50).

In an alternative embodiment, of the present invention, inner shell (10) can be used to introduce plant food/fertilizer once body (7) has been at least partially submerged in the ground.

The pylon (5) can be connected to another pylon (5) in a series via a modified descender (not shown) that would cap the first end of a first pylon (5) as well as the second end of a second pylon (5). The modified descender (not shown) would preserve continuity between the inner chambers (130) and the outer chambers of the two or more pylons.

In an alternative embodiment, the present invention can be in a similar manner as described above but the upper plate (40), lower plate (60) and pipe are composed of aluminum. The present invention is heated in the center as steam is blown down the center to the 3.25 inch mark. This causes water to be absorbed and ultimately sucked out.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A pylon for aquatic and terrestrial deployment, comprising: a body with a first and second end, said body having an outer chamber and an inner chamber; a flow valve, in communication with said outer chamber; and at least one back flow hole, in communication with said outer chamber; wherein said inner chamber is a conduit through said body; and a descender removably attached at either the first end or the second end of said body.
 2. A pylon for aquatic and terrestrial deployment, comprising: a body with a first and second end, said body having an outer chamber and an inner chamber; a flow valve, in communication with said outer chamber; and at least one back flow hole, in communication with said outer chamber; wherein said inner chamber is a conduit through said body; and wherein said lower plate is penetrated by said inner chamber.
 3. A pylon for aquatic and terrestrial deployment, comprising: a body with a first and second end, said body having an outer chamber and an inner chamber; a flow valve, in communication with said outer chamber; and at least one back flow hole, in communication with said outer chamber; wherein said inner chamber is a conduit through said body; and wherein said lower plate is penetrated by said at least one back flow hole.
 4. A pylon for aquatic and terrestrial deployment, comprising: a body with a first and second end, said body having an outer chamber and an inner chamber; a flow valve, in communication with said outer chamber; and at least one back flow hole, in communication with said outer chamber; wherein said inner chamber is a conduit through said body; support pieces disposed within said outer chamber; and wherein said support pieces are striated.
 5. A pylon for aquatic and terrestrial deployment, comprising: a body with a first and second end, said body having an outer chamber and an inner chamber; a flow valve, in communication with said outer chamber; and at least one back flow hole, in communication with said outer chamber; wherein said inner chamber is a conduit through said body; support pieces disposed within said outer chamber; and wherein said support pieces are perforated. 